The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1887-08-05

~ reckon we've got ye ehis time,"
said one IT the party. IAN " bet we'll |
show ye what this 'ere vigilance COM
mittee considers good for hoss-thieves!'
The wounded man was taken up and
placed on horseback. two men were de-
tailed TO guard each one Of " and We
started back. tried 70 explain my II
connection with the others, but was
silenced by the gru6 voice Of the lead
~. who assured me that / would have
chance TO explain things at the trial. |
This relieved me somewhat, - ! had
no doubt that could easily prove my
innocence. We rode till about mid
night, when we came to . small cluster
Of houses called Mineral Springs. We
drew up before . long log house which |
| proved To be saloon and hotel COM
bined. The bar-room was liz up and
there were q number Of men inside and
horses tied outside. They gave loud
cheer when they saw the prisoners. and
there was great deal Of hurried con-
versation. We were taken inside and
placed under guard. Twenty or thir-
~ men gathered in the room. when
man said:
well. boys. we've brought 'cm in.
an we got the HOSES. Ireckon we d bet
ter try the men an fix every thing up
tonight The cheerman will please
come for ard"
/ A man elbowed his way through the
crowd and took his seat on box be-
, hind card table. 1t was Buck Hawk
ms. felt still easier - had no doubt
} he would recognize me and set me At
liberty.
The trial was very informal and the
} other two were quickly disposed Of.
They claimed that they had found the
horses cached further up the creek
Q and never stole them. 1t was admit
I ted that perhaps they had found them
hidden, but 1t was charged that some
! Others Of the gang put them there.
Z Besides" said one man. ''s'pose they
n did find 'em cached what business
9 they got tryin' to run EN- out the
7. country?"
d THAT'S it." said Hawkins, whose
g judicial mind instantly grasped THU
d important point, s'they hadn't no bust
% ness At all an l reckon we'd bette
3 hang 'em fer luck"
y This was assented to with yell ant
y Hawkins started to get up. ! saw tina
!, had been included with the other
n and that must crowd in my defense
n accordingly asked them to hold q
d and told my story. When l finished
Is short thick-set man showed his hands
q little deeper into his pockets and said
lie "Gentlemen. l want % remark ~
= heered that air story occasionally DC
y fore thisv'
5 This was greeted by loud laug
as and every body agreed 70 II
But see here Hawkins." ! said, m
n heart beginning to sink, ''you kno'
Of me-vou've seen me before"
at .Oh, / reckon seed ye once"
"a replied, without looking At me-
~ Then you know I'm not . hors
To- thief"
Cant say that do. saw We on
on steamboat couple o months az
but hoss-thieves can ride on stear
boats"
Like nearly every thing else this "
M agreed to with loud applause l "a
that my chances were growing despe
ate and used every argument in r
'as lower to conyicc them that l was J
M nocent The men I had fallen In vi
aw put in their testimony in my beh'
&C but to no effect They were especial
AP- anxious to see me hang after one OF !
Ads committee closely scrutinized me a
sc. identified me as Doc Billings. one
md the leaders Of the gang. He loo
ing Young but he's hard one" explain
ced the man. So il was settled tha
ed' should hang with the others
IN seemed to be in favor Of carrying
gnt sentence out Immediately. ~
rly Hawkins rose and said:
Pc Gentlemen. il wouldn't be
/" shake for the other boys-wait
'os- mornin' till they come in TO help
ves sides they may bring in some more
81 the gang an we can string EN- all
- together"
's This was agreed to - readily
every thing else. and We were taken
80 an empty log house . little dista'
= from the rest and three men detail
to guard Us.
We were each given blanket
-, wrapped mine about me and g
=, down in corner with the most te
rors BILE feeling ! had ever experienc
Nv past life came before me vivit
and my mother and the home !
, - 50 recently left without cause rose
before me and caused me more bi'
-. anguish than Il seemed ! could cnd'
hs;r Nv companions. hardened BY :
49, peratc life and perhaps BY former .
80 breadth escapes, converted In whisI
',sn for some time and seemed to tak
4 . very coolly. After some time the i
.rtv er said:
ma young TELLER. I reckon ye 90
, 49, dance on air long with Us"
No Whether I replied or not do not
,hev member. but he continued:
-